Mechanical trap toilet with staggered flush carry

ABSTRACT

A toilet has a frustum-shaped bowl ( 26 ). Normally the bowl is hermetically sealed by a saucer-shaped valve and contains no water. Depressing button  72  automatically opens the saucer vertically down and rinses and flushes urine into an adjoining drain line with about 250 ml (0.25 gallons) of water. Depressing button  74  automatically releases a staggered flush capable of causing solid human waste, test plastic balls, or test condoms filled with tofu to carry further in the drain line. About 5.0 liters (1.25 gallons) is sufficient to carry solid waste to a sewer. About 250 ml (0.25 gallons) is sufficient to carry urine to a standard adjoining drain line; once there it flows gravitationally to a sewer main. 1.0 to 2.0 liters can carry 100 test plastic balls an average of more than 12 meters, (40 feet).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

“This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/151,015,Filed May 2, 2008.”

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

NONE

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

NONE

BACKGROUND Field

The field relates to mechanical-trap toilets.

CONTINUATION-IN-PART PATENT APPLICATION Definitions and BackgroundInformation

The following definitions and background information will help make thisdescription clearer and easier to understand so that a reader canappreciate why a mechanical trap toilet can meet numerous technical ASMEstandards, or their functional intent, required by the Uniform PlumbingCode.

Air Gap—ASME A 112.1.2.-1991 defines air-gap as an unobstructed verticaldistance through open atmosphere between the lowest opening from a pipesupplying water from a water supply to a toilet bowl and the highestlevel in the bowl to which water or waste may rise. The minimum ASMErequirement is 50 mm (2 inches). The European Union minimum is 20 mm(0.8 inch).

Artificial Test Media—Test media acceptable to the American Society ofMechanical Engineers (ASME), are used by the International Associationof Plumbing and Mechanical Operators (IAPMO), toilet-ratinglaboratories, manufacturers, and inventors to determine the ability of atoilet to expel solids from a toilet bowl in laboratory drain lines.They include standardized polyethylene balls. Toto of USA pioneered theuse of condoms of standard capacity filled with tofu of standard weight,also known as sausages.

American Society Of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)—A professionalorganization which defines the physical, functional, and healthrequirements of the Uniform Plumbing Code to be tested by a ratingagency such as the International Association of Plumbing and MechanicalOfficials (IAPMO) to determine if a given toilet can legally be offeredwith the latter's rating, for sale in many US states and Canada. To dateonly conventional toilets have earned this rating; to our knowledge nomechanical trap toilet has.

Burgeoning Urban Populations, Water—Dollar Costs—(1) The US CensusBureau projects the US population will grow by 46% by 2050, from 301million to 439 million and that practically all of that will be in urbanareas. (2) The total annual investment to keep water flowing to citiesand to keep it clean, currently costs about $28 billion in the US; 38%of which is financed from the income of water utilities; 5% bygovernment grants; and 13% by government loans. (3) It can cost $1billion up front to build a new water reservoir, or to enlarge or torepair an existing one, or to build, enlarge, or repair a wastetreatment plant for a city of about one million. (4) By the time theloans, and the interest on them, have been paid, each of the above cancost $3 billion, and (5) taxpayers ultimately pay all of these costs.

Consumption Of Toilet Water Per Person Per Day—The volume of indoortoilet water used by a toilet to satisfy the needs of an average person.Medical science and the toilet industry assume the average persondefecates once and urinates four times a day. The average toilet in theUnited States, Canada, Japan, and Europe uses 30 liters (8 gallons) ormore of water per person per day. Some dual-flush toilets use 18 liters(4 gallons). Our toilet uses about 5.25 liters (about 1.7 gallons).

Conflicts Caused by Water Shortages—Political disputes and warfare thatoccur due to water shortages. They are exemplified by the followingbroadcast on Public Service Television (PBS), “Your Majesty, Jordan hashad great relations with Israel?. Can you imagine going to war withIsrael for any reason”? The late King Hussein replied, “Yes, water.”

Conventional Toilets That May Legally Be Offered For Sale ForResidential And Business Use in The United States—Are of two kinds, (1)those characterized by siphon waste passageways, and (2) thosecharacterized by wash-down waste passageways.

Corrosion—Erosion, pits, crevasses, etc., due to numerous corrosiveacids and alkalis acting on most metals, plastics, and elastomers.

Environmental Costs Of Supplying Toilet Water To Burgeoning UrbanPopulations—There is little or no available land to accommodate newreservoirs within many cities. The prospect of having one build theregalvanizes many of the locals to let their opposition be known to localpoliticians. Consequently, more and more pristine valleys, such as HetchHetchy Valley in the Sierra Nevada of California, which, before it wasdefiled was equally as beautiful as its next door neighbor, the worldfamous Yosemite Valley. Hetch Hetchy is now the main water reservoir forSan Francisco and it is out of bounds for recreation.

Drain Lines—Pipes that slope from a toilet to (1) a septic tank, (2) toa sewer which discharges into a waste treatment plant, or (3) to areceptacle in a laboratory. Ideally, gravity, augmented by automatedpumps, water from other toilets, and water from other indoor sources canpropel, i.e. carry, human waste to a waste treatment plant. Toiletmanufacturers and inventors use laboratory drain lines, which areseamless and from which about a third of the uppermost structure hasbeen removed so that laboratory personnel can see, measure, and reportdrain line carry with artificial test media, as described below.

Drain line carry—(1) Is the ability of a given toilet to propel humanwaste to a sewer, or (2) to propel artificial test media from a toiletto a receptacle in a laboratory so that laboratory personnel candetermine whither the toilet can legally be offered for sale in abusiness or residence. Since solid human waste varies from person toperson and over time, it is not readily possible to measure how well itcarries. Consequently, the American Society of Mechanical Engineering(ASME) has devised a laboratory measurement method, defined in section8.8 of ASME A 112.19.2-2003, which depends on laboratory personnel beingable to see and measure how well 100 standard polypropylene balls carryin an seamless pipe which has an inside diameter of 100 mm (4 inches)and a straight run that inclines downward at a 2% angle from the toilet.To be legal to sell a toilet for use in a residence or business with anASME rating, the toilet must be able to carry the balls a minimumaverage distance of 12.2 meters (40 feet) with no more than 6 liters(1.6 gallons) of water. As described below, our toilet can carry 100balls in excess of 18.3 meter (60 feet) with 1.0 to 2.0 liters (0.3 to0.5 gallons) with a staggered flush. Toilets that exhibit greatercarrying power in a laboratory drain linen are prized (A) because theycan lower the costs of maintaining standard drain lines, a home orbusiness owner's responsibility, and (B) because they can lower thecosts of maintaining, repairing sewers, upgrading sewers and sewageplants, and combatting odor. To combat odor it can cost San Francisco$100 million dollars for five years to pump 8.5 million pounds of bleachinto its sewers. The bleach damages its sewers and sewage treatmentplants. To repair or enlarge a sewage treatment plant for a city aslarge as San Francisco can cost billions of dollars.

Dual-Flush Toilet—A toilet that permits a person to use less water forurine than solid human waste.

Flush—To evacuate bowl contents from a toilet bowl into an adjoiningdrain-line.

Flushometer Valve—A valve that controls passage of pressurized water toa toilet bowl.

Frustum-shaped Bowl—a bowl having an inside surface without concavitiesor convexities inclined so that human waste is less likely to adhere tothe surface and more readily detached with less rinse water.

Full Flush—The ability of a given toilet to flush an adjoining drainline. To earn an IAPMO rating a full flush must be able to carry 100standard polypropylene test balls an average of at least 12.2 meters (40feet) in an adjoining drain line that slopes downward from the toilet atan angle of 2%. If it cannot, the toilet may not legally be offered forsale in a residence or business. To the best of our knowledge nomechanical trap toilet has earned an IAPMO rating.

Free Fall—Downward movement of bowl contents from a bowl via a wastepassageway into an adjoining drain line under no force other that ofgravity, there being no thrust or drag other than that of the bowl.

Gallon—One U.S. Gallon—Equivalent to 3.78 liters.

International Association Of Plumbing And Mechanical Operators—IAPMO—Afor-profit corporation, headquartered in Ontario, Calif., which rateswhether a new toilet brand meets ASME standards. If it does, it receivesan IAPMO rating. The market for IAPMO rated toilets and toilets thatmeet other stringent standards is large, at least ten times greater thanthat for RV, boat, etc., toilets. For example, at least three or fourcompanies that sell siphon toilets gross more than three billion USdollars a year and thereby have cash flows so large that AmericanStandard Companies sold its toilets at a loss for ten years. Accordingto verbal communication with an ASME engineer and an IAPMO official,inventors and makers periodically submit mechanical trap toilets toIAPMO. So far, no mechanical trap toilet has received an IAPMO rating,and hence may not legally be offered for sale as a residential orbusiness toilet.

Laboratory Drain Line—A drain line, in a private, or for-profit,laboratory, used by inventors and testing authorities for observing theability of a toilet to carry simulated human waste, such as ASME-ratedballs towards, or into a measurement receptacle.

Maintenance Costs of Wasting Water—On-going costs for maintenance,labor, and replacement of leaky upstream and downstream infrastructures.For one large city these costs can exceed hundreds of millions ofdollars. The cumulative costs of oil, gas, coal, and energy substitutesneeded to pump water to toilets, sometimes hundreds of miles away, andfrom toilets to waste treatment plants, are vast. These costs and healthand welfare losses to air, water, and row crop pollution by electricpumps, leaks, and effluents are growing.

Mechanical-Trap Toilet—A toilet that has a trap that can be opened andclosed mechanically with respect to a bottom outlet of a toilet bowl.Our bottom outlet is about 3.25 inches wide, considerably wider thansiphon toilets and, when open, it thereby is much less likely to clog.When closed, it can (1) retain water, urine, solid human waste, or (2)artificial test media in the bowl, and (3) prevent potentially volatiletoxic or explosive mixtures of gases from entering a bathroom from anadjoining drain line. Our trap has the general shape of a saucer.

Psychological Costs of Wasting Water—The mental harm caused by wastingwater. Such psychological detriments can include losing one'sneighborhood to a water reservoir or waste water treatment plant orlosing opportunities to enjoy pristine terrain, such as valleys,streams, rivers, and countryside. These losses can deprive current andunborn generations.

Rebates—Money paid by water districts in the United States to encouragethose who own toilets to replace them with ones that use less water. Inaddition, as mentioned below, some water districts and cities, such asthe City of London, England, exchange tens of thousands of morewater-saving toilets to avoid having to borrow and having to spendbillions to build new water reservoirs or waste treatment plants or toenlarge old ones.

Reduced Flush—A flush which can expel urine with/or without toilettissue from a toilet bowl but not feces.

Rinse—An attempt to use water to detach adherent toilet tissue, or solidhuman waste, from the inside of a toilet bowl.

Siphon And Wash-Down Toilet History—Since the invention of siphon andwash-down toilets about 200 years ago, no significant sanitary toiletauthority, or agency, such as today's IAPMO, which protects the healthof consumers using toilets and how well the toilets function, has, tothe best of our knowledge, has certified a mechanical trap toilet foruse in a residence or business.

Spillway—An opening in an upper part of a toilet bowl that permits anover-flowing toilet bowl to discharge into a bathroom. The top of thespillway is the lowest part of Air Gap that can prevent human waste fromcoming in contact with water outlets. The minimum ASME Air Gaprequirement—ASME A 112.1.2.-1991 is 50 mm (2 inches). The European Unionminimum is 20 mm (0.8 inch).

Staggered Flush and Drain Line Carry—A staggered flush is a method forenhancing drain line carry using flush water to strike solid humanwaste, the above mentioned balls, or tofu-filled condoms, from behindwhile they are moving in a drain line. This enhancement of drain linecarry requires an application of a physical principle that states ittakes less energy to keep an object in motion than to re-start it onceit has come to rest. Our toilet can carry 100 balls an average distanceof more than 12 meters (40 feet) with about 1.0 to 2.0 liters of water.It can carry the balls in excess of an average distance of 18.3 meters(60 feet) with about 2.0 to 3.0 liters (0.53 to 0.8 gallons) of water.We are not aware of any prior art toilet that can do this.

Toilet Advocates—Politically Powerful Ecological InterestGroups—Organized groups of people who seek to influence the federalgovernment to enact laws that encourage ever-more water saving toilettechnology. These toilet advocates are powerful. In 1992 they persuadedCongress to mandate a full flush may not use more than 6.0 liters (1.6gallons). Other politically powerful toilet advocates includedepartments of city, state, and federal governments plus local andregional water districts responsible for financing the construction andmaintenance of numerous new, water reservoirs and waste treatment plantsneeded by burgeoning urban populations. Toilet advocates also includeinfluential public-interest organizations, such as the California UrbanWater Council, the Sierra Club, a variety of green organizations, andthe water-conservation arms of U.S. cities, states, and federalgovernments. The also include the federal government itself and numerouscity and state governments which must pay for toilet water used bynumerous millions of civil servants, students, citizens, and armedpersonnel. Studies show that regulation of toilets by the United StatesGovernment in an attempt to save water, despite objections of makers,plumbers, etc., has had significant adverse impacts on the functionalefficiency of conventional toilets.

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)—A code that defines minimum functional andmaterial attributes of toilets which can legally be offered for sale inthe United States. IAPMO, a for-profit company, headquartered inOntario, Calif., enforces the UPC for numerous plumbing jurisdictions inCanada and many U.S. states. A committee composed of IAPMO officials,ASME engineers, representatives of toilet companies, toiletjurisdictions, etc., updates the UPC bi-yearly to reflect new plumbinginventions. A maker who wishes to receive a rating for her toilet maysubmit Interim Guide Criteria to the committee charged with updating theUPC. The maker's criteria should include enough detailed instructions tothe UPC Interim Guide Committee how an IAPMO laboratory can test andprove to the satisfaction of the committee that the maker's proposedtoilet and its innovation toilet are worthy of further consideration. Ifthe Interim Guide Criteria committee is satisfied, the maker must submita model of her toilet for rigorous laboratory testing by IAPMO, or anaffiliated laboratory. Should the toilet passes all required tests, thecommittee instructs IAPMO to permit the maker to offer it for sale withits rating in any state, province, or water district that honors therating. IAPMO informs us it has tested numerous mechanical trap toiletsbut, to date, none have earned its rating.

Urine—Urine is highly complex aqueous solution of organic chemicals thatcan corrode many man-made materials.

Toilet Bowl Water-Seal—Enough water in a toilet bowl to prevent volatiletoxic sewer gases, at atmospheric pressure, from rising into a bathroom.However, the seal can evaporate and permit sewer gases to invade thebathroom.

Waste Passageway—The part of a toilet between the bottom outlet of abowl and an adjoining drain line. Normally water in the bottom of thebowl of a siphon or wash-down toilet can prevent potentially toxic andexplosive gases from entering bathrooms from adjoining drain lines.However, the water can evaporate and, furthermore, it cannot preventsewage from backing up from the drain line. Our rotable mechanical trapis normally hermetically sealed against the bottom outlet of our bowl.Consequently, it can prevent potentially toxic and explosive mixtures ofsewer gases from entering a bathroom from an adjoining drain line, andcan prevent sewage from backing up into the bathroom. The wastepassageways of siphon and wash-down toilets are less than optimal.

Wet Spot—A quantity of water in a toilet bowl wide or deep enough toslow the momentum of falling feces. The wet spot can prevent feces fromsticking to the bowl, or it may permit them to stick less firmly so thatthey can be more readily be rinsed off. The Uniform Plumbing Codestipulates that a wet spot should have a surface area equal to, or more,than 123×100 mm (5×4 inches) and be 50 mm (2 inches) or more deep.

Viton—Is an extremely resilient and corrosion resistant elastomer, madeand a sold by du Pont under a du Pont Performance Elastomers L.L.Ctrademark.

BACKGROUND—Water Seals—As mentioned above, a water seal is a quantity ofwater in a toilet bowl sufficient to prevent volatile sewer gases, atatmospheric pressure from rising into a bathroom. Furthermore,significant pressure or suction in an adjoining drain line can undo awater seal in conventional toilets, so that those nearby are no longerprotected from sewer gases. Our toilet does not need a water seal. Waterseals are less than optimal.

Prior-Art—Mechanical Trap Toilets—Grech et al., in U.S. Pat. No.6,397,871,361, Mar. 29, 2005, show a conventional mechanical trap toiletwhich expels human waste into a black-water holding tank under the floorof an RV, a few inches from its bowl, or a few inches into a lake or seafrom a boat.

Prior Art—Water Outlets

Prior-art toilets almost exclusively have a plurality of water outlets,each of which is oriented to rinse toilet bowls with pressurized waterin roughly the same direction, usually clockwise. For example, thepresent inventors, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,229, Dec. 25, 2001, show atoilet bowl which has at least two water outlets which rinse in the samedirection. Huffman et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,544, Feb. 10, 1995,show water outlets that rinse in the same and opposite directions.Heinze, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,696, Sep. 20, 1983, show one or moremulti-channel water outlets that rinse a bowl in three directions,forward, rearward, and downward. Ament, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,167, Jun.5, 1990, show pressurized water flowing in opposite directions withinthe rim of a toilet. Brower, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,124, Jun. 23, 1992,shows a toilet bowl rinsed by rotating water outlets. Nakamura et al, inU.S. Pat. No. 6,145,138, Nov. 14, 2000, show an upper part of a toiletbowl shaped so that pressurized water rinses the bowl in oppositedirections. Hargraves, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,718, Feb. 28, 1978, showscomplex multi-channel high pressure nozzles. Grech '361 patent shows twowater outlets. One water outlet automatically jets pressurized wateralong a ledge (20) on one side of an upper part of a bowl in onedirection. Then, the water flows over the edge of the ledge to rinse aremainder of the bowl. The other water outlet automatically rinses asecond ledge and the other side of the bowl in a similar manner.However, the water outlets do not efficiently rinse an area of toiletabove the ledge. Consequently they can not pass 8.6 Surface Wash Test ofASME A 112.19.2-2003 that requires the bowl be rinsed to one inch (25ml) below the outlets. The outlets are widely separated at the rear ofthe toilet consequently they can not rinse the rear of the bowl, where,due to the parallel bi-lobed shape of the human buttocks feces are moreapt to adhere. Consequently the configuration of Grech's toilet bowl andits water outlets are less than optimal.

Prior Art—Spillways

Schnitzler, in Swiss patent #CH10222, Mar. 13, 1898, and Kimble, in U.S.Pat. No. 988,787, Apr. 4, 1911, show toilets having spillways in upperparts of bowls. The spillways can help prevent human waste fromoverflowing onto floors. However, the spillways are too close to wateroutlets to meet ASME standard A 112.1.2-1991 which requires that therebe a sufficiently wide unobstructed air gap between water in a toiletand water entering from a water supply to prevent contamination of thedrinking water in the event of a negative pressure in a conduit thatdelivers drinkable water to the toilet.

Prior Art—Economic and Ecologic Costs of Toilet Water—Prior-art flushtoilets currently use 28% of water used indoors in the U.S. Waterreservoirs are required to store water so that there is enough on handfor towns and cities when needed. Waste treatment plants are requiredfor sterilizing sewage and used indoor water. Reservoirs and wastetreatment plants can be vast in area and frequently cost one or morebillion dollars each. Many citizens do not want them in theirneighborhood. Toilets in U.S. commercial buildings use about 1.2 billiongallons (4.6 billion liters) of water a day, the equivalent of thecapacity of 48 full-sized water reservoirs a year. It can cost as muchto enlarge a water storage reservoir as to build one; it cost US $2billion to build the Eastside Reservoir to double the storage capacityfor the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. City andregional water agencies normally borrow the initial money from stategovernments to build or enlarge water reservoirs and waste treatmentplants to accommodate burgeoning urban populations. The stategovernments in turn borrow from the Federal government. Eventually,taxpayers must repay not only the borrowed billions but interest thatcan bring their total debt to three times the money borrowed. Currenttoilets are less than optimal for reducing these financial burdens.

ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects of our toilet are(a) a staggered flush that improves drain line carry, (b) no need for awater seal, (c) the bottom outlet of the bowl and the waste passagewayare much wider than those of a siphon toilet so that it iscorrespondingly more unlikely to clog, (5) it can't contaminate drinkingwater, (6) the bowl is unlikely to over flow onto a bath room, (7) itcan meet or surpass all of the historical health and functionaladvantages of siphon and wash-down toilets, and (8) and is moreecological because it uses much less water per-person-per-day.Furthermore, for all but very small children a maker can customize thetoilet comfortably to seat a customer of any height and weight, orcustomer subset, by omitting gasket 45 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and separatingthe upper support structure of the toilet from the lower supportstructure of the toilet by a vertical distance comparable to the heightdifference between that of a four-year old child and the customer, orcustomer subset and fusing a sturdy cylinder, that sits on the ground,to the separated upper and lower support structures. The cylinder canblend with bathroom colors other than that of a sink, bath, shower, etc,so that from the doorway of the bathroom, the cylinder mostly hides thatthe toilet is a toilet and makes the toilet more attractive to the eye.

Further advantages of various aspects will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, a toilet bowl has a bottom outlet. Asealing ring surrounds the bowl near the bottom outlet. A rotablesaucer-shaped seal is positioned adjacent to the bottom outlet at theentrance to a waste passageway. The saucer can be pivoted upward againstthe sealing ring to hermetically seal the bottom outlet of the bowl. Thesaucer can be pivoted downward to permit bowl contents to free fall viathe waste passageway into an adjoining drain line. An automatedtwo-stage staggered-flush carries human waste or 100 standard balls moreefficiently in the adjoining drain line. All parts exposed to urine,feces, or corrosive gas are made of, or coated, by materials resistantto corrosion by the urine, feces, and gas. Moving parts areadvantageously mounted with loose tolerances so that they can beoperated and the saucer can be opened and closed 75,000 times withoutthe toilet loosing its ability to pass an array of other ASME tests.

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view from in front and to the rightof one embodiment of our toilet bowl, a sealing ring surrounding a loweroutside part of the bowl, and a rotable saucer-shaped mechanical trap inan up position.

FIG. 2 shows a general view of our assembled toilet in cross sectionthrough a center plane from font to rear as viewed from right with thesaucer-shaped mechanical trap pivoted down to a fully open position.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from above and behind of electricallyand manually operated controls, water connections, and spatialrelationship of a pair of water conduits and opposing water outlets.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from above and to the rear of the toiletshowing turbulent rinsing patterns created by two pairs of opposingwater outlets, with the rinsing patterns converging towards the frontand rear of the toilet.

FIG. 5 A shows a saucer-shaped mechanical trap, a saucer supporting arm,and saucer-pivoting shaft in cross section with the saucer hermeticallycompressed against a sealing ring that surrounds the outside of a bottompart of the bowl.

FIG. 5 B shows detail of the saucer and sealing ring shown in FIG. 5 A,in cross section.

FIG. 6 shows a side view from the right of an external multi-partmechanism for opening and closing the saucer with the saucer normallylocked closed.

FIG. 7 shows a view similar to FIG. 6, without the timing wheel ortiming belt.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7. It shows a key, a catch, an electricswitch, and a more detailed view of a trigger-centering spring.

FIG. 9 shows a side view from the right of an external mechanism foropening and closing the saucer, with the saucer open.

FIG. 10 shows a side view from the right of an arm on the timing wheelengaging the saucer-locking mechanism.

FIG. 11 shows a side view from the right of the multi-part externalmechanism for opening and closing the saucer when the saucer is normallylocked closed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the operating steps which follow depressionof button 72 to rinse the bowl.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the operating steps of a staggered flush,actuated by depression of button 74, to expel solid human waste to asewer, or to test how well the toilet can carry 100 plastic balls in alaboratory drain line.

DRAWINGS--Reference Numerals 22 lower support structure 23 ground 24upper support structure 26 frustum-shaped bowl 28 front of bowl 30 rearof bowl 32 bottom outlet of bowl 34 waste passageway 36 inlet toadjoining drain line 38 reinforcing rib 44 flange of passageway 45gasket between upper and lower support structures 46 rotable saucer 47periphery of saucer 46 48 sealing ring 49 plate 50 main spring 51 apexof sealing ring 48 52 pressurized water feed 53 base of sealing ring 4854 flushometer valve 56 accessory compartment 60 water conduits 62opposing water outlets 64 spill-way 66 anti-splash ledge 67 wet spot 68rim 70 seat 72 button 74 larger button 76 electric control 79 motor foropening and closing 46 80 manual push rod 81 timing belt for 79 82timing wheel rotates freely on 90 84 cam 86 arm on timing wheel 82 87catch on arm 86 90 saucer-pivoting shaft 91 key 94 gasket 96 hermeticradial seal 100 support bushing 102 trigger 108 second arm connected tohub 109 roller on 108 111 trigger-centering spring 112 catch on trigger102 114 arm connected to roller 115 115 roller on 114 116 catch on arm114 120 adjusting screw 122 bracket spring 124 bracket 126 electricswitch 130 arm connected to spring 50 132 hub on shaft 90 134 platemolded into saucer 46 136 washer and wave washer 138 nut and jam nut 140stud welded to plate 134 141 wall of toilet. 142 lever that actuates 126

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Structures and Connections—FIGS. 1, 2, 5A, 5B

As shown in FIG. 1, a mechanical-trap toilet according to a firstembodiment comprises a lower structure 22 that supports the toilet. Thelower support structure sits on and is attached to a bathroom floor (notshown) and is connected to a conventional adjoining drain line 36.

A gasket 45 is sandwiched between an upper support structure 24 and aflange 44 of a waste passageway 34. The waste passageway is an integralpart of the lower structure

A bowl 26 is an integral part of the upper support structure. As shownin FIG. 2, the shape of the bowl below the level of an anti-splash ledge(66) resembles a frustum, an inverted cone that lacks an apex and endsin a bottom outlet 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A, a sealing ring 48 is press fitted into a groovethat surrounds an outside part of the bowl above the bottom outlet.

Reinforcing ribs 38, shown in FIG. 1, help support the waste passageway,the bowl, and lower support structure 22.

As show in FIG. 1, a saucer-pivoting shaft 90 extends from the right andleft sides of the upper support structure 24. The saucer-pivoting shaftis connected to a plate 49. The plate passes forward from sight undersaucer-shaped seal 46. Plate 49 and saucer 46 are shown in a fully up,closed, positions.

The shaft 90 emerges (not shown) from the right and left sides of theupper support structure. It is surrounded, in order, from inside out, bya hermetic radial seal 96, a support bushing 100, and a gasket 94.

Shaft 90 is connected to a hub 132. An arm 130 extends from the hub. Thedistal or free end of arm 130 is connected to one end of a coil spring50. The other end of the coil spring is connected to a wall of thetoilet as also shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9.

A second arm 108 extends from hub 132 at an angle of about 130 degrees.108 is connected to trigger 102. One end of the trigger is formed ascatch 112, also shown in FIGS. 6 to 11. The other end of trigger 102 isconnected to one end of trigger-centering spring 111. The other end oftrigger-centering spring is connected to arm 108, as show in FIGS. 6-8and 10 and 11.

A timing wheel 82 is connected to a timing belt 81, as shown in FIGS. 7and 8. The timing belt is connected to a sprocket (not shown) of rotarymotor 79. The timing wheel 82 rotates freely on saucer-pivoting shaft 90and is connected to cam 84, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 11.

Structures and Connections—FIGS. 1 and 2

Bowl 26 is an integral part of upper support structure 24. The bottom ofthe bowl 26 protrudes downward through 24.

The upper support structure sits on and is connected to a lower supportstructure 22. The lower support structure sits on the ground 23 and isconnected to an adjoining drain line 36. A waste passageway 34 is anintegral part of the lower support structure. Bowl 26 and wastepassageway 34 have bottom outlets that are aligned approximatelyvertically above an inlet to the adjoining drain line. A sealing ring 48surrounds and is connected to the outside of the bowl near the bottomoutlet of the bowl. The sealing ring may be made of compressiblematerial. We currently favor making it of a fluoro-elastomer, sold underthe du Pont trademark Viton, the most corrosion proof compressiblematerial currently available.

The frustum-shaped bowl has a front part 28 and a rear part 30. Thefront part inclines 30 to 50 degrees forward and the rear part 5 to 15degrees rearward from the vertical. The front and rear parts of the bowlare linear; they do not form convexities or concavities. We currentlyfavor inclining the front part 40 degrees forward and the rear part 10degrees rearward. As mentioned above, this lack of concavities andconvexities (1) helps prevent feces and toilet tissue from sticking tothose parts of the bowl and thereby makes them easier to rinse, and (2)permits rinse and flush water to fall with greater momentum.

The saucer-pivoting shaft 90 is connected to plate 49. The plate isconnected to stud 140, as shown in FIG. 1. The stud is welded to a stiffplate 134 which is molded within, and entirely surrounded by saucer 46,as shown in FIG. 5 A. The sealing ring has a wedge-shaped apex 51 and aroughly flat base 53. The base of the sealing ring is press fitted intoa groove. The groove surrounds the outside surface of the toilet bowlabove and close to the bottom outlet of the bowl, as shown in FIG. 5B.Apex 51 of the sealing ring 48 extends outward from the bowl. It iscompressible and resilient. Thus forceful closure of saucer 16forcefully compresses 51 against the bowl, and thereby hermeticallyseals the bottom outlet of the bowl.

Plate 49, stud 140, and the saucer-shaped seal are shown in their fullyopen, vertically down positions in FIG. 2.

Electric controls 76 and a flushometer valve 54 are located within theaccessory compartment 56, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flushometervalve is connected to a pressurized water feed 52. The pressurized waterfeed has an inside diameter of about 12.50 mm (0.50-inch). The waterfeed can be regulated by a conventional anti-siphon valve, pressureregulator, and or anti-water hammer valve.

As show in FIGS. 2 and 3, spillway 64 is an aperture in an upper frontpart of the toilet bowl. Anti-splash ledge 66 is connected to the bottomof the spillway. As discussed below, there is sufficient distancebetween the aperture and the water outlets to permit bowl contents, whenlarge enough to overflow, to overflow without coming in contact with thewater outlets. Thus, in the event of a drop in pressure in the normallypressurized water source, the separation between the aperture and thewater outlets prevents bowl contents from being sucked into waterhitherto thought to be suitable for drinking.

As shown in FIG. 3, a front part of toilet seat 70 and a front part of atoilet rim 68 are approximately horizontally oriented. A rear part ofseat 70 and rim 68 are inclined upward and rearward and are connected toan immobile part of the upper toilet. An aperture in the seat and rim isroughly centered above bottom outlet 32 of the bowl and inlet 36 of anadjoining drain line.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 3

As shown in FIG. 3, rim 68 is formed at the upper part of the bowl. Seat70 sits on the rim.

A button 72 and a button 74 are located on top of the rear of thetoilet. The buttons are connected to an electric control 76. Theelectric control is connected to a saucer-rotating motor 79 and to aflushometer valve 54.

The flushometer valve is connected to a water feed 52 which is connectedto a source of pressurized water, which is suitable for drinking. Theflushometer valve contains a diaphragm (not shown). The diaphragm isconnected to a push-rod 80. The push-rod is connected to a push button78, which is located on top of the toilet, adjacent to buttons 72 and74. Manually depressing the push button depresses the push-rod andmanually opens the flushometer valve.

The flushometer valve is connected to water conduits 60. The waterconduits run forward on the outside of both sides of the toilet bowl. Atleast two of the water conduits enter the bowl from opposite directionsadjacent to each other. The water conduits end inside of the bowl aswater outlets 62. Thus, the water outlets point in opposite directionsthe inside of the bowl.

A spillway aperture 64 is provided in an upper front part of the toiletbowl. As mentioned below, there sufficient distance between the spillwayaperture and the water outlets to permit bowl contents to flow out ofthe bowl without coming into contact with the water outlets or, in theevent of a drop in pressure in the pressurized water source, beingsucked into water that is suitable for drinking. An anti-splash ledge 66is connected to the bottom of the spillway to prevent turbulent rinsewater from leaving the bowl.

Connections and Structures—FIG. 4

The bowl has a front 28 and a rear part 30 and a bottom outlet 32.

There is a spillway aperture 64 in the top of the front part of thebowl. The bowl below the spillway is indented to form an anti-splashledge 66. The anti-splash ledge confines rinse water to the bowl. Thus,it prevents rinse water from splashing out the front of the bowl whererinsing is particularly strong.

At least two water conduits 60 enter the bowl from opposite directions.The water conduits end as adjacent water outlets 62 that point inopposite directions so that they can rinse areas of the bowl below,between, and beyond the outlets, and with particular turbulence towardsthe front and rear mid-lines of the bowl where, due to the bi-lobedconfiguration of the human buttock, feces are prone to adhere.

Structures and Connections—FIGS. 5 A and B

As shown in FIG. 5 A, a sealing ring 48 is press fitted into a groovethat surrounds the outside of a lower part of a toilet bowl 26.

A saucer-pivoting shaft 90 is connected to plate 49. Plate 49 isconnected to stud 140. The stud is welded to a rigid plate 134 which ismolded within a flat part of a saucer-shaped seal, a saucer. The rigidplate stiffens the saucer. The periphery of the saucer inclines upwardand outward from the flat part of the saucer. A washer and wave washer138 and a nut and jam nut 136 secure plate 47 to the stud.

The plate 49 and the saucer are shown pivoted clockwise, fully closed,upward, so that the peripheral part of the saucer is hermeticallycompressed against the sealing ring.

The sealing ring is made of a resilient material. We currently favorViton, a Du Pont product. As shown in FIG. 5 B, the sealing ring has awedge-shaped apex 51 and a roughly flat base 53. The base of the sealingring is press fitted into a groove. The groove surrounds the outsidesurface of the toilet bowl above a bottom outlet 32 of the bowl. Theapex faces outward from the bowl. Closure of the saucer forces a smallarea of a periphery 47 of the saucer against a small area of the apex.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 6

FIG. 6 shows a side-view from the right of a multi-part externalmechanism for opening-and-closing the saucer shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5when the saucer is hermetically locked closed. The mechanism is locatedoutside of upper support structure 24 (not shown) and waste passageway34 (not shown).

A sprocket on a drive motor (not shown) is connected to a notched timingbelt 81. The belt is connected to a notched timing wheel 82. Arm 86 andcam 84 are connected to 82. One end of main spring 50 is fastened to awall of the toilet; the other end (not shown) is behind the timingwheel.

Arm 108 protrudes below the timing wheel. Arm 108 is rotably connectedto trigger 102. One end of the trigger is formed as catch 112. The otherend of the trigger is connected to the bottom of trigger-centeringspring 111. The top of the trigger-centering spring is connected to arm108. An inside surface of arm 108 is connected to roller 109.

The right end of an arm 114 is rotably attached to a wall of the toilet141. The other end of arm 114 is free. Roller 115 is connected theoutside of arm 114. An adjusting screw 120 is welded to arm 114. Theadjusting screw is connected to bracket spring 122. 122 is connected tobracket 124. The bracket is fastened to wall of the toilet. The springurges arm 114 upwards against roller 109 on 108, and a rear end oftrigger 102 upward. An electric switch 126 is connected to a wall of thetoilet and to electric control 76, as shown in FIG. 3.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 7

FIG. 7 shows a similar view to FIG. 6 but without the timing wheel orthe timing belt in order to expose parts of the mechanism for openingand closing the saucer.

One end of arm 108 is connected to hub 132 and the other end to roller109. Arm 130 is connected to one end of fully extended main spring 50.The other end of the main spring is anchored to a wall 141 of thetoilet. The main spring urges 130 and hub 132 counter-clockwise and lockarm 114 and arm 108 together and thereby lock the saucer in its normalposition, fully closed.

The main spring can be any mechanical, pneumatic, or magnet springs thatopens the saucer fast enough to permit bowl contents to free fall intoan adjoining drain line. We currently favor making the main spring acoil spring. The speed with which the spring snaps open depends on theinertia of the above mentioned multi-part mechanism for opening thesaucer and on the strength of the spring. We currently favor having thesaucer snap open within half of a second.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 8

FIG. 8 shows details of the external multipart mechanism for opening andclosing the saucer not shown—in FIG. 7.

Arm 130 is connected to hub 132. Hub 132 surrounds a saucer-pivotingshaft 90. The hub is connected to a key 91. The key is keyed to shaft 90so that, when arm 108 rotates clockwise, the hub and the saucer-pivotingshaft rotate clockwise and thereby hermetically compress thesaucer-shaped seal against the sealing ring, Conversely, when the mainspring rotates hub 132 counter-clockwise, the hub rotates shaft 90counter-clockwise and thereby rotates the saucer-shaped seal open, asshown in FIG. 2.

Roller 109 is connected to an inside lower part of arm 108. The free endof arm 114 is formed as catch 116. Roller 109 is engaged in catch 116.

Trigger-centering spring 110 is connected to trigger 102 and to arm 108.The spring urges trigger 102 to rotate to a position that is roughly ata 90° angle to arm 108.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 9

FIG. 9 shows a side-view from the right, minus the timing wheel andtiming belt, parts of the multi-part external mechanism for opening andclosing the saucer-shaped seal when the saucer has been rotatedcounter-clockwise to the fully open position shown in FIG. 2.

Main spring 50 is fully contracted. Main spring 50 urged arm 130, hub132, and arm 108 counter-clockwise so that roller 109 on arm 108 nolonger engages catch 112 on arm 114. Consequently, the main springcauses arm 108 and trigger 102 to a roughly horizontal position.

As show in FIG. 10, relaxation of trigger-centering spring 111 permitstrigger 102 to lock the sauce normally closed.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 10

FIG. 10 shows parts of the mechanism for opening and closing the sauceras it begins to rotate the saucer closed.

Arm 86 is connected to timing wheel 82. Clockwise rotation of the timingwheel engages catch 87 on arm 86 against catch 112 on trigger arm 102 torotate the trigger arm clockwise, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 10.Further rotation of the timing wheel causes arm 86 to activate leaver142 of electric switch 126 and thereby electronically terminateoperations.

Structures and Connections—FIG. 11,

FIG. 11 shows the positions of structures when the saucer is closed inits normal position, fully up, hermetically compressed against thesealing ring.

Catch 112 on 102 is disengaged from catch 87 on arm 86. Bracket spring122 urges adjusting screw 120 upward against the rear end of the triggerarm. Upward pressure by spring 122 on screw 120 rotates the rear end ofarm 102 upward and the front end of 102 downward. The bracket springurges the free front end of arm 114 upwards to lock against roller 109and thereby locks the mechanism for rotating the saucer in its fullyclosed position.

Consequently the toilet is ready (1) to expel urine or (2) solid humanwaste to a sewer, or (3) to test its ability to carry 100 test balls, orsausages, aka condoms filled with tofu in an adjoining laboratory drainline.

Expelling Urine to a Sewer—FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12

FIG. 6 shows a multi-part external mechanism for opening and closing thesaucer, with the saucer normally locked hermetically closed. A userurinates into the bowl and depresses automated button 72. Depression ofbutton 72 automatically actuates the following events, summarized inFIG. 12:

Electric control 76 opens flushometer valve 54 for a predetermined time,preferably about 100 milliseconds, to permit pressurized water to emergefrom opposing water outlets 62 to create an extensive and turbulentrinse pattern, to detach urine from the wall of the bowl, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4,

Depression of button 72 also actuates electric control to start sauceropening and closing motor 79 to rotate clockwise until the saucer isfully open as follows: Clockwise rotation of motor 79 rotates timingbelt 81 clockwise. Clockwise rotation of 81 rotates timing wheelclockwise. Continued clockwise rotation of the timing wheel causes cam84 to depress roller 115. Depression of roller 115 depresses the frontend of arm 114. Depression of the front end of arm 114 disengages catch87 on arm 86 from catch 11 on arm 102 and thereby causes main spring 50to snap closed. Relaxation of main spring 50 snaps arm 130 on 132counter clockwise.

Counter clockwise rotation of hub 132 rotates key 91 on saucer pivotingshaft 90 counter clockwise and snaps arm 108 counter clockwise toroughly horizontal position as shown in FIG. 9. Counter clockwiserotation of shaft 90 snaps plate 49 of saucer 47 vertically downward toit fully open position to permits urine and water to free fall intoadjoining drain line 36 as shown in FIG. 2. The water and urinegravitationally flow the length of drain line 36 to a sewer system, notshown. 200 to 300 ml (0.05 to 0.08 gallon) of toilet water is adequate;we currently favor using 250 ml (0.06 gallon). When released, theresilient apex 51 of seal ring 48 rebounds to a decompressed statewithin less than one second. We have hermetically closed and opened thesaucer about 75,000 times.

Further clockwise rotation of timing wheel 82 by motor 79 closes thesaucer as follows:

Wheel 82 rotates arm 84 rotates clockwise. Clockwise rotation of 84depresses roller 115 on arm 114. Depression of arm 114 engages catch 87on arm 86 with catch 112 on trigger 102 and presses the rear end oftrigger 102 against bracket spring 112 so the saucer is fully closed, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 A and 5 B. Motor 79 stops and the operationterminates. The toilet is immediately available for a next user.

Expelling Solid Human Waste to a Sewer with a Staggered Flush—FIGS. 2,3, 7, 8, 12 and 13—Creation of a Wet Spot

Since there is normally no water in the bowl, a wet spot is required tocushion falling feces to prevent them from unduly adhering to the bowl.We currently favor a 1.00-liter (0.25 gallon) wet spot. It is about 85mm (3.45 inches) deep and has a surface area of about 140 mm by 165 mm(5.75 by 6.75 inches). It exceeds minimum ASME standards for wet spots.

To create the above mentioned wet spot a user depresses manual pushbutton 74 for long enough to fill the bowl to a 1.0 liter (0.25 gallon)mark, not shown. If the above 1.00 liter (0.25 gallon) wet spot does notsuit a user, she can create a larger one as follows;

She depresses push button 78, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Button 78 manuallydepresses push-rod 80, shown in FIG. 3. The push-rod disengages thediaphragm in flushometer valve 54. This in turn opens the valve andpermits a quantity of pressurized water to jet into the toilet bowl. Theuser holds button 78 down until there is 1.0 liter (0.25 gallons, in thebowl; enough to fill it to a mark (not shown).

Later, the user can experiment with progressively smaller wet spots.Eventually she may find an ecologically desirable 1.0 (0.25 gallon) wetspot is adequate.

When ready to expel solid human waste to a sewer, the user depressesautomated button 74 to actuate a staggered flush, as summarized in chartFIG. 13:

Flushometer valve opens for a predetermined time, preferably about 750milliseconds, to rinse the bowl free of solid human waste with about 1.0to 2.0 liters (0.25 to 0.50 gallons) of water.

Motor 79 rotates the timing belt and the timing wheel clockwise untilthe saucer has opened to its fully down position, as described in detailabove. Opening the saucer permits the wet spot plus, the water used torinse the bowl, and solid human waste to free fall into the adjoiningdrain line.

While the saucer is open and the solid human waste is still moving inthe drain line, the flushometer valve automatically opens again for apredetermined time, preferably about 750 milliseconds, to introduceadditional water, about 1.0 to 2.0 liters (0.25 to 0.5 gallons) into thedrain line behind the moving solid waste. While the saucer is stillopen, the flushometer valve opens for a predetermined time, preferablyabout one and half seconds to release a second quantity of water, about3.0 liters (0.75 gallons) into the drain line while the solid humanwaste is still moving, for a total consumption of about 6.0 to 8 liters,(1.25 to 2.0 gallons).

Releasing the above mentioned second quantity of water into the drainline while the solid human waste is still moving, carries the solidwaste further than if both quantities of water were to enter the drainline together.

The saucer automatically closes as described in detail above. Theoperation for expelling solid human waste to a sewer with a staggeredflush is terminated. The toilet is ready for the next user.

Note, since the frustum shaped bowl becomes progressively narrows fromtop to bottom outlet, the free-falling feces, toilet tissue, urine, andwet spot converge so that their total diameter becomes considerably lessthan that of the waste passageway they transit. Consequently, they areunlikely to adhere to the waste passageway.

How to Test the Ability of Our Toilet to Carry ASME-Rated Plastic Ballsin a Laboratory Drain Line with a Staggered Flush—

A tester inserts 100 plastic balls into the normally empty bowl of thetoilet and actuates button 74. Button 74 actuates motor 70 to open thesaucer, as described in above, so that the balls free-fall into anadjoining laboratory drain line. While the saucer is open, flushometervalve 54 opens for about 750 milliseconds to release a predeterminedamount of water into the drain line to impart more momentum to theballs. After about a 750 millisecond delay, while the balls are movingin the drain line, motor 70 re-opens flushometer valve for about 1.5seconds to release pressurized water into the drain line to impartadditional momentum to the balls, and, thus carry them more efficiently.Then, the flushometer valve closes and the saucer closes to its normalclosed vertically upright position. The motor stops. The operation isterminated and the toilet is immediately available for additionaloperations. We are not away of any toilet In the 4500 years of toilethistory that automatically used a staggered flush to improve drain linecarry or to save water.

As mentioned above, paragraph 8.8 of ASME brochure A112. 19.2-2003states that toilets that may be legally offered for sale in residencesand business with an IAPMO rating in the US and Canada on condition theycan carry 100 balls an average of 12.2 meters (40 feet), or more, with6.0 liters (1.6 gallons) or less of water. Our toilet can carry 100balls in excess of 18.3 meters (60 feet) with about 1.00 to 2.00 liters(0.3 to 0.5 gallons) of water. We are not aware of any prior-art toiletthat can carry them that far with less than 6.0 liters (1.6 gallons).

Per-Person-Per-Day Water Consumption

Some dual-flush siphon and wash-down toilets use about 18 liters (4.76gallons) per-person-per-day when conventionally used. Most single-flushsiphon toilets, when used as recommended by their makers and most singleflush wash-down toilets use about 30.0 liters (8.0 gallons) per personper day. Our toilet uses about 6 to 8 liters (1.25 to 2.0 gallons) perday per person when used as recommended.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will appreciate various aspects of our toilethave several advantages such as water efficiency and cleanliness. Forexample, the steep-sided bowl, having none of the conventionalconvexities and concavities helps prevent feces from adhering to thebowl. Opposing water outlets rinse the bowl most turbulently where fecesare more prone to adhere. Thus, the outlets are more water efficient andthe bowl more likely to remain clean. Furthermore, urine adherent to thebowl can be rinsed into the drain line with about 250 ml (0.07 gallon)of water.

The saucer is normally hermetically compressed against the bowl, so thatbowl contents remain in the bowl and sewer gases remain in the sewer.The saucer can be opened and then hermetically closed about 75,000times.

The saucer opens with sufficient rapidity that urine, feces, and ortoilet tissue in the bowl can free fall into an adjoining drain line.Thus, unlike current indoor toilets, a wet spot is not necessary when auser merely urinates.

If the toilet is provided in a public bathroom, a laser beam can bedirected across the bathroom's doorway so that, whenever a user leaveswithout flushing, the interruption of the beam will automaticallytrigger the above operation for flushing solid waste.

The manual push button can be repeatedly actuated to accumulate up toseven liters of water in the bowl to flush toilet tissue that may comerest in the drain line adjoining a business because the drain line maynot regularly be flushed by showers, dish washers, clothes washers,sinks, etc., as are drain lines adjoining residences; toilets use lessthan 30% of water used indoors in residences.

Although the above description contains many specificities these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of our toilet but asillustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Manyadditional ramifications are possible. For example, the drive motor canbe directly connected to the timing-wheel assembly, thus eliminating theneed for and expense of a timing belt. The toilet can have (use) abattery capable of powering several thousand automated flushes during apower outage or in buildings not provided with electric power. Thebattery can automatically be recharged from the same power source thatpowers electric controls 76 so that the battery remains charged.

For buyers whose wet spot needs are accommodated by 1 liter(0.25-gallon) of water, a maker can dispense with the manual pushbutton, the manual push rod, and the diaphragm in the flushometer valve,thereby reducing its manufacturing costs.

The waste passageway and lower support structure can be up to about 300mm (12 inches) taller. A manufacture can sell such tall toilets toburgeoning populations for whom today's toilets are uncomfortably lowand to myriads of people afflicted with a wide variety of painfuldisabilities that hamper them when they sit on conventional toilets.

The main spring can be any of a variety of mechanical, pneumatic, ormagnetic springs. We currently favor a coil spring.

A variety of shock absorbers can be used to dampen an upward thrust ofarm 108 and thereby prevent the main spring from shocking and damagingmoving parts which open and close the saucer. This will extend theuseful life of these parts.

In lieu of a fluoro-elastomer, the sealing ring can be made of a varietyother resilient materials, such as varieties of rubber that can becompressed many times and promptly rebound to their pre-compressionstate. Instead of the saucer compressing the point of an apex, it cancompress a resilient fold.

The seat, rim, and cover can be conventionally sloped for initial buyeracceptance.

The seat, bowl, and waste passageway can be made of a variety ofcorrosion resistant materials which include, but are not limited, tovitreous china, plastics, metals, or anodized aluminum coated with PTFE.

The weight of a toilet is important to makers, distributors, plumbers,and handy owners. The bowl, upper support, waste passageway, and lowersupport structure can be made of light corrosive-resistant plastics, oranodized aluminum coated with PTFE. This will reduce the weight of ourtoilet to about half that of current indoor toilets.

If the toilet is destined for use by males only, a maker can delete thesupplemental flush, and thereby save about 4.00 liters (1.0 gallon) ofwater per-person-per-day.

The bowl and waste passageway can be made of vitreous china, the surfaceof which has a finish which repels urine, so that no rinsing of urine isrequired. Such a finish permits saving of about 250 ml (0.07 gallon) ofwater each time a male uses the toilet for urination alone.

Thus, the scope is determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, rather than by the examples given.

1. A mechanical trap toilet, comprising: (a) a toilet bowl suitable forreceiving solid human waste and for receiving urine, (b) means forconnecting said bowl to a drain line, (c) means for flushing said humanwaste into said drain line with water with a staggered flush, wherebysaid staggered flush carries said solid human waste more efficiently insaid drain line.
 2. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising: (a) saiddrain line being a standard drain line, (b) means for flushing saidsolid human waste into said standard drain line with a staggered flush,whereby said staggered flush carries said solid human waste moreefficiently in said standard drain line.
 3. The toilet of claim 1,further comprising: (a) said bowl being suitable for receivingartificial test media, (b) means for connecting said bowl to alaboratory drain line (c) means for flushing said artificial test mediain said laboratory drain line with said staggered flush, whereby saidstaggered flush carries said artificial test media more efficiently insaid laboratory drain line.
 4. The toilet of claim 2 wherein said waterfor carrying said solid human waste is about 6 to 8 liters (1.25 to
 2. Ogallons).
 5. The toilet of claim 3, further comprising: (a) Introducing100 standard test plastic balls into said bowl, (b) means for flushingsaid test balls into said laboratory drain line with a staggered flush,wherein about 1.0 to 2.0 liters of said staggered can carry said plasticballs an average of more than 12 meters, (40 feet), in said laboratorydrain line.
 6. The toilet of claim 2, further comprising: (a) said bowlhaving a bottom outlet, (b) said toilet having a saucer shaped valve,aka a saucer, (c) said saucer being normally hermetically sealed againstsaid bottom outlet, (d) means for rotably opening said saucer, (e) urinecan adhere to said bowl (f) mea ns for rinsing said urine adherent tosaid bowl, (g) introducing urine into said bowl while said saucer isopen so that there being no obstructions in said bowl said urine canfree fall into said adjoining drain line and gravitationally flow insaid adjoining drain line, whereby said toilet can rinse said urinewhich is adherent to said bowl into said adjoining drain line with lesswater.
 7. The toilet of claim 6, further comprising: (a) said waterbeing about 250 ml (1.25 gallons), wherein said toilet can save water.8. The toilet of claim 2, further comprising: a. using about 6.0 to 8.0liters (1.25 to 2.0 gallons) for said solid human waste per person oncea day, b. using about 240 ml (0.25 gallons) for said urine about fourtimes a day per person wherein said toilet uses a total of about 6.25liters to 8.25 liters (1.25 to 2.0 gallons) for said solid human wasteplus said urine per person per day.
 9. The toilet of claim 7, furthercomprising: (a) means for receiving water from a water reservoir whichis new, enlarged, or repaired when building said new reservoir, orenlarging, or repairing said water reservoir can cost about $1 to $3billion, wherein said toilet can defer the need for building, enlarging,or repairing said reservoirs for a burgeoning city population andthereby can save tax-payers billions of dollars.
 10. The toilet of claim7, further comprising: (a) means for receiving water from a pristinevalley which has been converted into a water reservoir, wherein saidtoilet lessens the need for converting said pristine valley into saidreservoir.
 11. The toilet of claim 8, further comprising: (a) means fordelivering said solid human waste or said urine to a waste treatmentplant, (b) said waste treatment plant being subject to break down orbecoming too small for said burgeoning urban population, whereby saidtoilet can defer repairs or enlargement of said waste treatment plant,and thereby save tax-payers billions of dollars.
 12. A method forrinsing and flushing urine from a toilet into an adjoining drain linewith less water, comprising: (a) toilet, (b) said toilet having a bowl,(c) said bowl having a bottom outlet, (d) said toilet having a saucershaped valve, aka a saucer, (e) said saucer being normally hermeticallysealed against said bottom outlet, (f) means for rotably opening saidsaucer, (g) means for rinsing said bowl, (h) introducing urine into saidbowl so that there being no obstructions in said bowl said urine canfree fall into said adjoining drain line and gravitationally flow insaid adjoining drain line, whereby said toilet can rinse said urine intosaid adjoining drain line with less water.
 13. The toilet of claim 12,wherein the volume of said water for rinsing urine into said adjoiningdrain line is about 250 ml (0.25 gallons).
 14. The toilet of claim 13,further comprising: (a) means for flushing solid human waste into saidadjoining drain line with a staggered flush, wherein said staggeredflush can carry said solid human waste further in said adjoining drainline and thereby save water and money.